Luxurious, bewitching, inspiring, spell-binding… Our selection of addresses is aimed at pleasure and ideas ! From absolute essentials to wonderful surprises, new experiences to enjoy and share.
Round One for the German fitness brand that has just inaugurated its first French club in Levallois Perret ! A splendid club occupying over 3,000 m2, John Reed offers an unprecedented experience of sport with innovative training, cutting-edge equipment and bespoke services. Though John Reed is also art at the centre of a concept, with original decor showcasing works by contemporary artists. All against a mind-blowing soundtrack, and a nightclub atmosphere ! John Reed Fitness, 31 rue d’Alsace, Levallois-Perret (07 45 21 24 90).
After Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Tokyo, Umami Burger has landed in the capital ! On the first floor of the Hôtel Pullman Paris Montparnasse, this hearty restaurant proposes a voyage for the tastebuds with gastronomic burgers based on eight recipes ranging from the cult “Classic Burger” to the vegan burger and a “Rossini Burger” special, dedicated to French cuisine. Yummy. Umami Burger, Hôtel Pullman Paris Montparnasse, 19 rue du Commandant René Mouchotte, Paris 14. www.umamiburgerparis.fr
Hiding below the Sépia restaurant in the 7th arrondissement of Marseille, a new nook has been created to accommodate large parties of 10 to 16 guests. Offering a superb view of the seafront and a tailormade bistronomic menu, delivered to perfection by Chef Paul Langlère, this address celebrates fine dining as per the rules of the art. www.restaurant-sepia.fr
In the Luberon, between Ménerbes and Bonnieux, nestling in the midst of almost 57 acres of vines, La Bastide and Le Domaine de Marie offer enchanting atmospheres, refined and authentic. Perfect addresses for weekends and springtime getaways, these elegant residences - members of Les Maisons & Hotels Sibuet - embody the very essence of Provence in terms of both hospitality and the content of their dishes. www.maisonsethotels-sibuet.com
An exceptional young Chef, Charlotte Crousillat has become the vegetarian queen of the Vauban neighbourhood in Marseille. In her restaurant, Carlotta, she proposes colourful vegetarian cuisine characterized by goodness, bio and generosity. www.carlottawith.com
Tucked away in the Hôtel Hermitage, the TIGRR Club Saint-Tropez, reserved for insiders, will re-open its doors in April. On the programme, a creative bar, chic “pétanque” and karaoke, live music, and dining to the break of dawn. www.tigrr.fr
The palatial Martinez Hotel on the Croisette in Cannes proposes an exquisite experience with its tasty new brunch dedicated to the entire family. Served at La Plage, weather permitting, or the restaurant Le Jardin, it can be savoured every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 3 p.m. (85 € per person, -50% for children aged 6 to 12). Hotel Martinez, Cannes, 73 Bd de la Croisette (01 53 67 65 00)
After setting the mood for the summer season for three years, the ultra-chic riverboat dreamt up by Thibaut Sainclair shifts into top gear to open on a permanent basis. Its stunning roof-terrace of 400 m2 facing the Eiffel Tower has been re-tweaked and now plays host to a festive new restaurant and a sheltered winter garden extended by a bar, dedicated to enjoyment of spirits and explosive cocktails. The bonus is the dome, a transparent bubble which can be privatised to benefit from a special moment with a super “raclette” on the menu. Mademoiselle Mouche, Rooftop de l’embarcadère des Bateaux-Mouche, Port de la Conférence, Pont de l’Alma, Paris 8e. www.mademoisellemouche.paris
“This is not a brasserie”, it’s a real restaurant ! On the menu, cuisine concocted from fresh ingredients ranging from world “tapas” for sharing to dishes for refined palates and delectable little snacks. Plus a giant terrace facing in three directions, elegant decor signed by architect Gilles Guillot, and a delightful choice of cocktails to celebrate life at the heart of Paris ! Florida, 1, rue Montorgueil, Paris1er. (01 80 06 61 94).
Forget all you know about chocolate ! In this boutique full of delicacies, the new playground of chef Aurélien Rivoire who works hand-in-hand with chef Yannick Alléno, surprises are the order of the day with chocolates revealing a concentration of knock-out tastes. “Magie de l’Unique”, a vanilla pod in chocolate garnished with vanilla caviar cream, “Audace des Trèfles” illustrating the chefs’ saucy humour, and the sheer elegance of “Sticks”, slender, crisp bars of chocolate containing creamy praline. Magnificent. Alléno & Rivoire, 9, rue du Champ-de-Mars, Paris 7e. Ouvert du lundi au samedi de 10h à 19h30 et le dimanche de 9h à 13h30.
After Le Grand Vacarme embodied by chef Sarah Mainguy, it is the turn of Thomas Coupeau (formerly of Carbon and Cantina) to take the helm at the restaurant of the hotel Le Grand Quartier. He proposes comfort food with a focus on decadent dishes such as boiled eggs accompanied by irresistible grilled Beaufort cheese or bechamel pancakes spiked with Scamorza.Restaurant « Quartier » à l’hôtel Le Grand Quartier, 15, rue de Nancy, Paris 10e. (01 76 21 61 61).
“Meilleur Ouvrier de France” and formerly second chef to Yannick Franques and Anne-Sophie Pic, Marc Fontanne was born into a family of farmers. In a 14th-century priory in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, now a 5-star hotel just opposite the Popes’ City, he proposes cuisine based on ultra-fresh ingredients reflecting the values of the local terroir. www.leprieure.com
The Ritz Paris has just announced the arrival of young Chef Eugénie Béziat who will take over the kitchens of L’Espadon from April 1st. Born in Gabon, this graduate with a Hôtellerie Restauration BTS from Toulouse set down her bags in 2018 at the restaurant La Flibuste in Villeneuve-Loubet - the birthplace of Auguste Escoffier, 1st Chef at the Ritz Paris - and won her first star just 18 months later. Highly promising... www.ritzparis.com
Trained by Alain Passard, Guy Savoy and Alain Sanderens, Chef Emmanuel Leblay conjures up seasonal cuisine at La Pie qui Couette, working closely with local producers. From the organic and short-circuit network, vintners’ wines, matured meats and fish caught a few kilometres further south are to be discovered in generous dishes of Provençal inspiration. Nîmes. 6a, rue Guizot. (04 66 23 59 04)
Mathieu Marchand, Pastry Chef at L’Oasis in Mandelieu, has revealed his latest creation : a highly artistic mimosa tart. A gourmet tribute to the famous flower of Mandelieu, world capital of mimosa, this dessert unfurls suave notes of almond and orange blossom, subtly spiked with the acidity of a creamy cheesecake and the crunchiness of caramelized peanuts, all softened by a topping of white chocolate. Mandelieu-La-Napoule. 6, rue Jean-Honoré Carle. (04 92 97 31 82)
Chef Jean Imbert has just inaugurated the new gastronomic restaurant at the Plaza Athénée hotel. In this hundred year-old palace within easy reach of the Eiffel Tower, his goal is to reconnect with sumptuousness and the culinary art inspired by France’s great classic repertory. Paris 8e. 25, avenue Montaigne. (01 53 67 65 00)
Dating back to 1848, this gem of a restaurant now run by the sons of Jean-Marie Paul, head of the Butard Paris group (Le Savy, Chez René), fans the flames of the bistro style in nostalgic decor jazzed up by a fresco by Vincent Darré. Here the game involves recognizing artists and socialites who are regular clients while enjoying well-reasoned cuisine orchestrated by Chef Vincent Quinton, whose tasty dishes are perfectly at home in the bistro register. A sincere, enticing address. Le Bistrot de Paris, 33 rue de Lille, Paris 7 (01 42 61 16 83).
An unexpected touch of the South creates a delightful surprise in this brasserie, the new playing field of Chef Paul-Alexandre Laumont, already heading up the Brasserie Cézanne. Paying tribute to Mediterranean flavours, the menu features sunny dishes such as gambas flambée’d in pastis, “linguine alle vongole”, marinated and grillled vegetables... Cuisine that complements the carefully decorated dining-room and a vast terrace on which to sit back and relax. Pastis, 87 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8 (01 44 70 99 92).
Le Piaf has decided to make a new nest in Megève, exporting its successful Parisian concept in Alpine version with a cool piano-bar restaurant. Self-proclaimed as a “lieu d’encanaillement”, it continues to delight Epicureans and fans of partying by combining traditional French dishes and creative cocktails with a high-flying artistic programme. Piaf Megève, 1306 route Nationale (04 58 77 00 30).
Chefs Thiphaine Mollard from Savoy and Romain Casas from Béarn are close friends working hand-in-hand to compile the characteristics of free gastronomy, the goal of this new address. In cuisine that plays admirably on the ties between Savoy and South-west France, their dishes propose ingenious pairings (unforgettable “croquetas” with truffles, raclette with white ham cream), diabolical desserts and a selection of cheerful wines. Deux Restaurant, 58 rue de la Fontaine au Roi, Paris 11 (09 74 97 47 52).
